QUICK TAKES

Third 'Rings' takes a best-film honor

The Southeastern Film Critics Assn. has named "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" the best film of 2003, and its director, Peter Jackson, has received honors as best director.

"City of God," from Brazil, was chosen best foreign-language film in the association's 12th annual awards. Best actor honors went to Bill Murray for "Lost in Translation," which also won best original screenplay for director Sofia Coppola. Naomi Watts was named best actress for "21 Grams."

The association is composed of print, broadcast and Internet critics from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.